Toyota Axes FJ Cruiser : Production To Cease In August

Toyota has announced the end of the line for it’s FJ Cruiser, with production of the FJ40 inspired, Prado based, retro off-roader scheduled to finish in August.

According to Toyota, more than 11,000 FJ Cruisers have been sold since it’s launch in 2011 and apparently that’s enough to give it “instant classic” status but not enough to continue selling it.

Sales of the FJ Cruiser have averaged 180 a month in Australia, a rate which Toyota says was “considerably higher than originally expected”.

Toyota Australia’s executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said the FJ Cruiser built on more than half a century of Toyota tradition in producing tough off-road vehicles.

“The FJ rides into the sunset as a vehicle renowned for its ability to traverse rugged outback trails while offering plenty of utility for all types of activities and being equally well-suited for everyday driving,” Mr Cramb said.

It also has the best approach and departure angles in the Toyota 4WD range, with 36 degrees up front and 31 degrees out the back.

The development of the FJ Cruiser included local testing, which resulted in unique calibration of the all-coil suspension and power steering to suit Australian conditions, plus the fitment of 17-inch alloy wheels and 70-profile tyres.

The latest version of the FJ Cruiser gets a full suite of active and passive safety features including six airbags, vehicle stability control, anti-skid brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, active front-seat head restraints and a reversing camera with the display located in the electro-chromatic rear-view mirror.

Satellite navigation became standard in early 2012. An upgrade in March 2013 added an off-road cruise-control system called ‘CRAWL’ and increased fuel capacity with the 72-litre main tank being supplemented by an 87-litre sub-tank, providing a theoretical driving range of close to 1,400km.

Offered in a single grade the FJ Cruiser is priced from $46,990 and it is covered by Toyota Service Advantage capped-price servicing at a maximum of $220 per service.